How To See The Nasties On Your Fresh Food - with Danielle Morton

03/21/22 • 17 min

In this episode of Beyond the Green Line, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Danielle Morton, a banking sector professional turned entrepreneur and founder of Zondii - a venture that’s using the capabilities of “blue sky” (spectroscopy) technology to identify residual herbicides and pesticides in food and fiber.

Danielle is dedicated to making more knowledge available to the public about the food we eat and the fiber we wear by implementing simple ways for producers to ensure quality - including using the selfie camera of a smartphone to guarantee their final products are safe from harmful pesticides, additives, and chemicals.

Danielle teaches us about “blue sky” technology, which used to just be used in realms like art restoration, but that can now help families that have allergies and sensitivities, as well as anyone who wants to know more about what’s in the food they purchase and clothing they buy.

Danielle’s personal experience watching how healthy, whole foods helped her children recover from gut and sleep issues led her to research the specifics of food producers’ certification processes. She eventually teamed up with a group of spectrometry scientists and spear-headed implementing it in the food and clothing industries. She now works with the creators of the technology and producers in the food industry in researching simple ways to authenticate the cleanest and healthiest food options, like ensuring a food is indeed organic.

Shonelle and Danielle discuss the process of creating a start-up company, connecting with researchers and scientists, and building project teams.

Finally, they look ahead to the impact Zondii will have when consumers’ have the ability to scan produce in the store and truly choose the best product. This includes Organic and Regenerative Agriculture produce, which often contain little to no pesticides.

(Links and socials)

Website - https://zondii.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Zondii1

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zondii/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Zondii-2043167555978011

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zondiiapp

Shonelle and Danielle discuss the process of creating a start-up company, connecting with researchers and scientists, and building project teams.

(Links and socials)

Website - https://zondii.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Zondii1

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zondii/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Zondii-2043167555978011

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zondiiapp

Previous Episode

Pivoting To Find Your Passion Driven Career - with Dimity Smith

In this episode, Shonelle Gleeson-Willey talks with Dimity Smith about a career pivot and using your STEM skills to try new and wonderful things in different industries.

Our guest, Dimity has done exactly that. She studied psychology then went to work in the work health and safety industry, before pivoting to events management, and empowering country women with the launch of Savvy Birds and then Gro Events Group.

We explore how Dimity's roots in psychology have helped her to adapt to her career changes and add that extra sparkle to what she delivers as an events director and engagement psychologist advocating for rural and regional women, and now board director of Dairy New South Wales

Dimity shares her personal experience in the importance of finding your passion and engaging in a career that fill your cup, as well as the importance of work-life balance and being mindful of burnout.

She shares how her involvement in local board roles helped her to land a board-level position with Dairy New South Wales and shares some top tips on how anyone that dreams of joining a board can take actionable steps towards that goal.

Dimity also speaks about her involvement with STEM Q through the University of New England – a one-of-its-kind program that is bringing awareness of the many opportunities in STEM careers to young people in regional NSW and improving the diversity of skill retention in rural areas.

Finally, Dimity and Shonelle discuss her venture to bring networking events to women in rural areas, and to overcome the main obstacle women in regional areas often face – feeling isolated. She shares how her diverse career has equipped her to give women the perfect excuse to get out and quench their need for face-to-face connections.

Links and socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smithdimity

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimity-smith-gro/

Website: https://www.groevents.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groeventsgroup/

Next Episode

Wheat Breeding For A Changed Climate - with Dr Rebecca Thistlethwaite

In this episode, Bronwyn Brennan, from the Moss Environmental team, talks to Dr Rebecca Thistlethwaite who works at the University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute and literally puts bread on the table for all Australians. She spends her time with the Plant Breeding Institute looking into developing innovative new breeds of wheat that are more resilient to our changing climate.

Rebecca and Bronwyn discuss the challenges in completing a PhD straight after your prior studies, and how a stint of work experience might help you stick it out for good in the end.

Rebecca shares her personal experience on how she adapted moving from the bright city lights of Sydney, to the regional towns of Narribri and Armidale – and how country life meant a range of different social circumstances, including the delights of discovering small town hospitality over big city night life.

Finally, she then shares insights into their breeding programs, from how seeds are sourced overseas (from a diverse array of countries, including Mexico, India and Sudan) to how these seeds are then combined with Australian wheat species to produce the best of the best lines for changing Australian climates.
Socials and Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-thistlethwaite-19426354